Torpedo



Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,304

A. 1'. HALL TORPEDO Filed Aug. 9, 1920 J?. YHall Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW T. HALL, OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOVERNMENT OFTHE UNITED STATES.

TORPEDO.

Application filed August 9, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW T. HALL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newport, Rhode Island, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Torpedoes, vol

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in torpedoes and moreparticularly to the pistols adapted to ignite the fuel in the combustionilask. As is well known to those familiar with torpedo construction andoperation the turbines are diven by a mixture of compressed air andsteam, the

steam being formed by the conversion of water sprayed into thecombustion flask into steam by the utilization of the heat given ofi' byan alcohol spray burner or the like.

The alcohol burner is ignited by means of a pistol when the torpedo isfired. The vinvention will 'hereinafter be described with relaltion tosuch application although it is, of course, to be .understood that it isnot to be limited to this particular application or the materials abovespecically mentioned.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple andpractical self cooking pistol adapted to be operated by the fuelpressure thus insuringthe admission of the fuel to the combustion flasksimultaneous with the operation of the pistol.

A further object is to provide a pistol of the above character which maybe in expensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide a pistol which will be safe to handle atall times being in normal or inert position until the moment of firingat which time it may be depended upon to ignite the charge.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointedout in the accompanying drawings forming part of this disclosure and inthe several figures of which similar reference characters denote 45corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device in normalposition.

Figure 2 is a similar View showing the device in firing position.

It is to be understood that the mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2 isadapted to be connected with the combustion pot of the torpedo in amanner familiar to those skilled in the art. The fuse is provided 55with a main body member 5 with threads Serial No. 402,433.

G whereby the same may be screwed into the wall of the pot. At one sideis a diagonal passage 7 provided with a threaded recess S to which apipe is adapted to be connected at one end, the opposite end of whichpipe may be connected with the rotary valve for controlling theadmission of the fuel, water and air to the pot. The upper part of thebody member 5 is provided with a removable cap 10 having threaded orother' suitable engagement mainly for the purpose of convenience ofassembly. Beneath the cap is a chamber 11 and what may be considered apiston head 12 threaded into the top of a tubular member 13. Thesemembers are adapted to reciprocate within a sleeve 14 provided with anoflset shoulder 15 near the central part and a second offset shoulder 16near the lower part. Interposed between the shoulder 15 and a shouldernear the top of the member 13 is a spring 18 and within the member 13 isa second spring 17 acting between the head 12 and a firing pin member20. This firing pin member is provided with a pin proper 21 adapted toengage the cap in the end of fuse cartridge 22. At the sides of thefiring pin carrying member 21 are a plurality of flat flaring springs 23adapted to engage a ring 19 resting on the shoulder 16. It is believedto be unnecessary to go into the details of construction and assemblymore than above outlined for the reason that the device will beperfectly clear in its structure and operation to those skilled in theart. It may be stated, however, that the operation is substantially asfollows The air pressure or fuel pressure, according to the applicationor use is admitted through passage 7 and acts upon the upper part of thehead 12 forcing the same downwardly compressing both springs 17 and 18.As the member 13 moves downwardly, however, its lower edge will engagethe flaring springs 23 and force them inwardly until they reach thediameter of the lower part oi' the member 14; whereupon the firing pinis urged downwardly by reason of the compressed spring 18 as shown moreclearly in Figure 2. The pin 21 strikes the cap in the end of' the fuse22 and the operation is completed except for the restoring of the partsto normal position by the action of the spring 17 which takes place assoon as the pressures are equalized. lVhen the pressure is relieved frombehind head 12, spring 17, which has been compressed by the pressureacting on head 12, tends to return to its initial position, carryingwith it head 12, member 13, firing pin member 20, firing spring 18,firing pin 21 and flaring springs 23 mounted upon a firing pin member20. The ends of flaring springs 23 are within the lower part of member14 and bear against the walls of the small diameter until they areraised by the upward action of spring 17 to a position opposite theshoulder 16, whereupon they are spread out by the wedging effect offiring pin member 2() and their natural resiliency, and land on theshoulderl, thus returning the mechanism to its normal position. Thewedging effect of firing pin member 2O is produced by the small amountof tension still available in firing spring 18. This type of fuse firingmechanism is preferably fired by fuel pressure which is an advantage inthat the pistol does not fire until the fuel arrives in the combustionpot thus obviating non-ignition by the fuse through premature firing.The mechanism, as previously stated, is adaptable to the rotary valvefor fuel, water and air distribution to the pot. The mechanism is simpleand positive in its action, requires no lap joints, is selfcocking andnon-cushioning and, in short, is believed to accomplish, among others,all of the objects and advantages herein set forth.

What I claim is:

1. A firing mechanism for the combustion flasks of torpedoes comprisinga member adapted to carry a cartrldge, a firing pin normally held inlocked position out of engagement and away from the primer, a firing pinmember carryln the firing pin, spring arms carried by said member, a sring engaging said firing pin member an adapted to be compressed onadmission of fluid pressure, a second spring ada ted to be compressed onadmission of uid pressure, a. sleeve interposed between said springs andadapted to co-act with the spring arms carried by the firing pin memberto release the same after said springs have been compressed whereby saidfirst spring moves the firing pin into engagement with the primer.

2. A firing mechanism for the combustion flasks of torpedoes comprisinga cylindrical member carrying a primer, a firing pin, a firing pinmember and a spring for moving the firlng pin into engagement with theprimer, a lurality of springs associated with the firmg pin membernormally lock ing said firing pin against movement, a plurality ofcoiled springs, one of which acts upon said firing pin member and theother of which coacts with the casing and a movable sleeve separatingsaid parts adapted to compress said first springs when fluid ressure isadmitted and release the loc ing springs whereby one of said coiledsprings carries the firing pin into engagement with the primer.

Signed at 13th day of March, 1920.

ANDREW T. HALL.

Newport, Rhode Island, this 7

